To be honest, the katana is overrated by a huge margin. Weeaboos like to gloat about its laminated layers, but the Celts did it better and more skillbully almost a thousand years before (700 BC vs 900 AD) with spiral-laminated cores; Spanish steel made the process cheaper and easier anyways. I'd rather go into battle with a German longsword or a sturdy arming sword than a katana due to actual effectiveness (the katan has problems with armor); that's a last-ditch weapon to use in ultra-clsoe melee anyways so might as well compare a spear/halberd to a naginata.

The katana is designed for speed and clean cutting. You aim for body parts left exposed or that have weak/thin armor. It's a weapon for killing.

A longsword (of any European variety) is designed for powerful blows. It can dent and cut thick armor, and the force of it's attacks can crack and shatter bones, even through armor. It's a weapon for beating down an opponent until they are weak enough to kill.

Both are designed for a purpose, and both do their job very well.

Comparing the two in the same categories would be like trying to fit the square block in a round hole.

Gimme a side-sword anytime (IT'S NOT A ******* RAPIER), a broadsword or a backsword, or something similar... not to be cocky that it's my country and all, but portugal in the 16th cen. when they arrived in japan, 12 official duels were made throughout the time, 11 won by the portuguese and only 1 by the japanese.

Not saying katanas are bad... but they are definitely not better than what us the Europeans had, not to mention we had a way bigger diversity of weapons for duels than the japanese.

I'm no werperns expert. But wouldn't a skilled swordsman with a katana be able to cut faster and with more accuracy, than a skilled swordsman with, say, a claymore or broadsword or something like that? I'm not saying it's more powerfull or can dish out more damage. But wouldn't you agree that there are pros and cons with all weapons? Is there really such a thing as a superior sword?

I myself would prefer either a Warhammer or a Mace/Morning Star. Mace preferably for armored opponents, Morning star for unarmored. With a mace, no matter how much armor you're wearing, a blunt force impact is going to hurt. The only customization i would put on them is a guard - they're pretty meaningless if you get your hand cut off.

A battle axe by itself is nice, but a shield (be it round or kite) accompanying it is better to better protect yourself from archers or other conbatants. Dunno if I'd parry with an axe, they're not very big -- that's what the shield is for.

I use bearded axes, so I can just drop the axe lower in my hand and the blade protects it (allowing me to use the handle to parry at the same time). Then I can use the whole axe like a bladed brass knuckle. As a bonus, I can throw them pretty well, and throwing one gives me enough time to draw my shield if I see somebody with a dueling weapon like a rapier. Also, the point of two axes is to be attacking, something I am good at. Not a lot of organizations use archers in my experience

SCA type stuff. It is my job break shield formations by flanking them, usually shield formations have a harder time fighting attacks from two or more directions. And I do rather like bucklers, I just find dual axes more entertaining since my life is not actually on the line. If I was in a life or death fight I would take a spiked buckler and an axe.

Because both of you seem to know your **** when it comes to sword play and reenactments do you by chance know how I would be able to get into them? The only training I've had with swords is a year in fencing during high school and me running around with swords when I was a kid (which doesn't really count). Honestly though I've always prefered greatswords like claymores, partially due to the fact I'm proud of my Scottish heritage. Also I know the Scot's didn't only use greatswords and it was more for people of higher class than the average man, as most used broadswords or some form of blunt weaponry so please don't get fuddled about me saying one of the reasons I prefer greatswords is my heritage. At any rate I've always been interested in getting into some sort of professional swordplay as the carefree actions of LARPing never really stuck to me, but I've never found anyone that does anything beyond fencing.

In larger battles, you are going to be limited to foam or wood weaponry, this is simply a fact of life. As far as groups you could join? I would recommend the SCA. http://www.sca.org/geography/findsca.html
Having never been part of them (my group has been compared a number of times, but they are strictly local), I don't know how much actual combat they do, but I suspect it should be enough to get your fix.
Alternatively, you can check out reenactment groups.

I have to admit, it is fun being the biggest dude in the battle (I tower over most opponents at 6 feet 6 inches) and I love the feeling of being the driving force behind a charge. It is hilarious seeing first timers go down in a blind panic. Nothing wrong with sword and board my friend, it is how I got started, I just like a good axe better, it gives me more options.

I agree. The katana is great if your target has no protection and you don't need to worry about recovery time. Personally, I would rather have a falchion as it will cut through damn near everything in front of it.